Business Directories

‘First-of-its-kind building’ nears completion

Abu Dhabi:, November 24, 2007

The Middle East's first building without any concrete, wood or steel is nearing completion on Abu Dhabi's Al Reem Island.

Built with 'sandwich panels' made of composite materials that are used to make the new generation aircraft - including Boeing787 and Airbus A350 — the project will be the new corporate office of Tameer Holding, a leading real estate company developing a $1.9 billion complex on Al Reem Island.

The revolutionary building technology, which ensures faster and cost-saving construction, has been brought to the region by InnoVida Group in association with the UAE-based Al Safeer Group.

Recently, InnoVida, a multinational US company with operations in Germany, the Middle East, Africa, Central and South America, came to the global limelight when a 45-foot pyramid, made of InnoVida panels, was installed at UK's Hyde Park by the acclaimed pop artist Romero Britto.

Tameer Abu Dhabi Chief Executive Officer Dr Abdallah Shaaban said the InnoVida technology would have a far-reaching impact on the booming construction industry by reducing its dependence on cement, wood, steel and labour while ensuring speedy environment-friendly construction.

'We hope our building on Al Reem Island will be the first such structure to inspire other builders to adapt this technology which will go a long way in saving energy and construction time,' he said.

'InnoVida panels are used with 'InnoVidaResin' to facilitate construction without the use of heavy equipment while InnoVidaBond materials are used to fuse together panels into a mono-block to make the buildings waterproof. By using this technology, structures — homes, buildings, offices and warehouses —can be erected without a foundation, column or roof structure,' Osorio said.

In the US and other markets, InnoVida's panels are being increasingly recognised as a better alternative to traditional construction materials because they are stronger —the panels can take a load of 1 ton horizontally and 5 tons vertically. They are lighter and more flexible than cement, steel or bricks. InnoVida's panels are also non-flammable, waterproof and hurricane resistant (up to 300Kph).

'We are delighted to partner with this innovative technology leader, and look forward to trail-blaze a new trend in cost-effective construction in India and the Gulf.

Al Safeer Group - a diversified conglomerate with business interests in retailing, malls, entertainment, real estate, furniture, manufacturing exhibition stands and trading across the GCC — has a significant number of real state development projects scheduled and waiting for the InnoVida factories in India to become operational. – TradeArabia News Service